Articulated link conveyer belt



June 22, 1954 Filed Aug. 19,

FIG.I

F. J. BORON ARTICULATED LINK CONVEYER BELT 3 She ets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2

INVENTOR. FRANK J. BORON BYMQMM ATTORNEYS June 22, 1954 F. J. BORONARTICULATED LINK CONVEYER BELT 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 19. 1952 withan open! are placed. Various confi Patented June 22, 1954 UNITED STATESTENT OFFICE ARTICULATED LINK CON VEYER BELT Frank J. Boron ican Brake Scorporation of Delaw hoe Com are , Elyria, Ohio, assignor to Ameripany,New York, N. Y., a

14 Claims.

This invention relates to conveyor belts and more particularly to .aconveyor belt which presents an uninterrupted or unbroken surfaceconsisting of a series ofarticulated metallic links upon which the workto be conveyed is supported. The present invention has particularutility in connection with those heat treating furnaces which have amoving bottom wall for carrying the article to be heat-treated into andout of the furnace.

Conveyor belts in which a plurality of articulated metallic links arearranged to present an uninterrupted or continuous supporting surfacehave been resorted to heretofore under different circumstances, as forinstance in connection ended furnace wherein such a conveyor beltconstitutes a moving bottom wall for the furnace and upon which thearticles to be conveyed into the furnace for heat treatment gurationsand arrangeorted to in connection with ed to construct such a belt,mercially feasible for-ms are characterized by a pivot rod or pin whichis used not only as a connecting means for the links that are thusinterconnected but also as a means on which the links are free to pivotand :turn during the course of advancing movement of the belt,particularly as it turns about the sprockets. The belts of the prior artare characterized by links that are formed separately and distinct, as acasting or otherwise, from the pin or rod upon which the links aremounted for pivotal movement. The link and the pivot pin are invariablysuch that the pin represents a relatively weak connection, usually beinga wrought structure, and since the pin necessarily functions as awork-supporting part itself there is a tendency for such pins to be bentas the result of being subjected to greater load stresses than the pinis capable of withstanding or supporting. This defect has been referredto in the art as crank-shafting.

Another problem that has arisen in connection with the prior art belts,wherein the link and its pivot represent separate parts, is that causedby distortions in the pivot, this being manifest in a pulling apart, soto speak, of the conveyor belt much as webbing is often stretched andopened up as the result of extended use. Consequently, the ability ofthe conveyor belt to properly support the work in efficientmanments havebeen res the metallic links us but most of the coin nor is greatlyimpaired, and in view of the fact that the possibility of over-stressingthe pivot- :ing pins is increased, the condition causes furthercrank-shafting of the pivot pins.

The primary object of the present invention, therefore, is to eliminatethe deleterious effects and results occurring in conveyor belts of theaforesaid type caused by the bent and distorted pivots which representelements separate and distinct from the links associated therewith. Itwill be appreciated that an ideal condition in a conveyor belt of theaforesaid articulated metallic link type would be one wherein the linksand their pivots are of the same strength and quality. That thiscondition would be desirable can be realized from the fact that priorconveyor belts consisting of articulated metallic links arranged in anendless series, and to form an uninterrupted surface, are characterizedby links which are much stronger than the pivot means associatedtherewith, requiring loading in conformance with theability of the pivotpins or the like to resist crank-shafting, or else loading inconformance with the work-supporting ability of the links subject to theinevitable crank-shafting of the pivot rods. According- 1y, it is afurther object of the present invention to have a conveyor belt in whichthe 0lk-S1lpporting ability of the links in relation to that of themeans for permitting the links to pivot and turn stands .in a ratio of1:1.

It has also been observed in connection with the use of conveyor beltsof the prior art that there is a great tendency for the belt to bind andlockalong the pivotal axes, this being due to the fact that in mostinstances the pivot rod or pin is relatively long, functioning as apivoting means for a plurality of links arranged in side-by-siderelationship along the pivot rod. Under such circumstances, it isvirtually impossible to maintain the pivot perfectly straight, at leastfor an extended period of use, and this of course causes the links tobecome nus-aligned and therefore to bind. It is therefore an additionalobject of the present invention to eliminate the binding tendencies inconveyor belts construct-ed of articulatedrnetallic links which are tobe arranged to afford an uninterrupted and continuous surface, and topermit each such link to pivot in such a manner as to provide its ownpivot when assembled with other like links. A further object in thisregard is to integrate the link and the pivot means so that there isafforded a unitary link structure of a configuration and arrangementsuch that the same may be cast as one body.

A further object of the present invention is to construct and arrange alink for a conveyor belt so that the link not only embodies awork-supporting surface but also a pivotal means formed integraltherewith whereby such a link may be arranged with two or more likelinks to form a link group, in which the pivoting action takes place onand about integral elements of the links themselves. A further object inthis regard is to permit each link in a conveyor belt to assume what maybe termed a floating condition to the extent that each such link isadapted to absorb shocks and conform to stress differentials withoutmaterially affecting the other links.

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent fromthe following description and claims and are illustrated in theaccompanying drawing which, by Way of illustration, show a preferredembodiment of the present invention and the principle thereof and what Inow consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applyinthat principle. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same orequivalent principle may be used and structural changes may be made asdesired by those skilled in the art without departing from the presentinvention and the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a group of links constructed andarranged in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view, broken away in part, of a conveyor belt embodyingthe links of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of a pair of links showing the mannerin which the links may pivot relative one to the other;

Fig. i is a plan view of one of a center or channel link;

Fig. 5 is a of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a large side link;

Fig. '7 is a sectional view taken on the line 1'l of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is an elevational trated in Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 99 of Fi 8;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 29-? of Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of one of the smaller side links;

Fig. 12 is a horizontal sectional view of the link illustrated in Fig.11; and

Fig. 13 is a schematic representation of the manner in which a conveyorbelt constructed along the lines of the present invention may bearranged for use.

For purposes of disclosure, the present invention is illustrated in thedrawings as embodied in a conveyor belt cs, Figs. 1, 2 and 13, thatconsists of a plurality of articulated metallic links sectional Viewtaken on the line 55 view of the link illusof the type shown in Fig. 1at 20C, 2% and 20H.

Generally, each such link is cruciform in outline and comprises a hollowbody portion 24, the longitudinal axis of which is adapted to extendparallel to the direction of travel when the link is arranged in a beltas 4! As will be described in more detail below, the construction ofeach link is such that when arranged with other links in paralleltransverse rows, with lugs TL and'BL at either end of the body portions2d aligned as shown for instance in Fig. 2, the resulting rows canbelinked up in a novel manner by a means including-the lugs TL and BL toform a strong, flexible, shock-absobent conveyor belt at in which no onelongitudinal link edge as 35, Fig. 2, is continuous along the length ofthe 4. belt at. Laterally projecting Wings ZiW at the top side of thebody portion of each link constitute part of a continuouswork-supporting surface and that also includes surfaces 2 ET and 2 EE,and in addition the wings MW cooperate with one another to definestaggered recesses at the underside of the belt in which may be locatedthe teeth 53 of sprockets as Fig. 13, for driving the belt ill as willbe described below.

The belt 53 may be of any desired or convenient length and width, and ofcourse the links forming end rows at the opposite ends of the belt areto be connected to afford an endless work supporting surface. The sidelinks at the left side of the belt and the side links at the right sideof the belt are each provided with upstanding flanges 22, Fig. 1,whereby there are afforded left and right walls, 22L and 22R,respectively, Fig. 2, that locate between them the conveyor surface orchannel in which the work is to be located. The links within thisconveyor channel are identified as 206 in Fig. 1, and at the same timeit will be observed that the side links, ZIF and fill-I, are of twotypes. Thus, a link 26F in reality is nothing more than a link 290 thatis cast, or otherwise suitably formed, with a wall-defining flange 22. Aside link 23H, on the other hand, may be looked upon as a link 28C thathas been provided with a wall-defining flange 22 and out in half alongits longitudinal axis.

Each of the links 20C, 26F and 25H is a casting and, as shown in Figs. 1and 3, comprises the relatively thick and blunt rectangular shaped bodyportion 261 which includes a bottom wall 23 and an equally dimensionedtop wall 25 spaced therefrom so that a relatively large opening 28, Fig.3, bounded by the top and bottom walls 23 and 25 respectively, extendsthrough the link. The top side ZiT of the top wall 25 represents part ofthe work supporting surface or table of the link. Since the links arecast bodies, all surfaces and elements are continuous, that is,unbroken, and the opposite ends of the body portion 2d of each link arerepresented, respectively, by a trunnion 111g TL and a bearing lug BL.The lugs TL and BL, integrally formed at either end of each link,project in opposite directions along the longitudinal axis of the linksand are each of a generally cylindrical shape, having a width equal tothe lateral width of the body portion 2% and a vertical diameter equalto the height of the body portion 24 from the under side of the bottomwall 23 to the top-side of the top wall 25. As best shown in Fig. 1, thetops of the curved surfaces of the lugs TL and BL are tangential withtop surfaces ESE, at either end of the links, that constitutelongitudinal extensions of the surface EiT of each link. Similarsurfaces havin dimensions equal to the surfaces ZlE are located atcorresponding positions at the bottom of each link as can be appreciatedfrom Fig. 3.

Projecting outwardly from the top side ,or work supporting surface 251of each of the links 230, and located between the lugs BL and TL thereonso as to constitute lateral continuations of the surface 2 l'l, are apair of work supporting wings 24W. The work supporting surfaces 25W areeach of a width about equal to one-half the width of the work supportingsurfaces PAT so that, as shown in Fig. 3, the combined width of the twowings ZEW on the links 2&0 and fill? is about equal to the width of thebody portion 2d of that particular link. The significance of thisdimensional relationship will be pointed out below. a

ace-132s It will be seen, then, that when a pair of links NC arearranged in side-by-side relationship with the wing 21W of one linkarranged contiguous to the adjacent wing of the other link, the bodyportions 24 thereof, will be spaced laterally apart from each other asubstantial distance as indicated at 15, Fig. 2. It is this space !5that is afforded by an adjacent pair of links that permits a drivingrelationship to be established between the sprockets 42 and the belt 40,as will be described in slightly more detail below. Also, when immediateadjacent links are thus arranged, the respective bearing lugs BL and thetrunnion lugs TL thereof will also be spacedapart from one another adistance corresponding to the spacing as will be clear from Fig. 2.

It will be seen from the foregoing that each of the links 200 embodies abody portion 24 having a lug formed integral therewith at either end,the width and height of these lugs conforming to that of the bodyportion. The work supporting surface of each such link comprises thesurface 2lT, having lateral dimensions equal to the body portion 24, thewings "2IW which project horizontally from the opposite sides thereof soas to be disposed in an outboard relationship relative to the surface HTand the body of the link, and the surfaces 2I-E at either end of thelink. The side links 29F and H are of similar configuration andarrangement, one difference being, however, that each of these linksalso embodiesa flange "22 which in the case of the links as 20F will belocated at the outboard edge of the left or right wing 2|W dependingupon whether such link is to be located at the left or rightedge of thebelt 453. On the other hand, the side links 20H are each formed with butasingle wing 2:! W, as shown in Fig. 11, and the work supportingsurfaces 2IT and 21E: are of half dimensions relative to the lateraldimensions of these surfaces .on the links ZIJC' and 201*". Like thelink MF, the flange 22 on the link 20H is located at the extreme left orright edge depending upon the side of the belt 40 which it is to occupy;

otherwise, all three links are similar in -dimensions, arrangement,configuration, and general shape.

When the links2iIC, 20F, and ZBH-are arranged in rows to form a belt, itis essential of course that the belt be capable of turning, as forinstance, about the sprockets that may be used as va :driving means, andalso that there be some "play in the belt. This is brought about by piv-'otally interconnecting the links, and in accord- :ance with the presentinvention, the pivotal means whereby the links may thus be pivotallyinterconnected one with another to form a conveyor belt as 46 are castor otherwise formed integral with each of the links. Such pivotal meansincludes a trunnion and a bearing opening, and these are located at therespective trunnion lugs 'TLrand the'bearing lugsBL, the arrangementbeing such that a trunnion which is located on the trunnion log on oneof the links may be loosely journaled in a bearing opening located inthe i-bearing lug of another link to thereby pivotally interconnect suchtwo links.

The links are interchangeable to the extent that the trunnion andbearing opening of any one link are equally related in dimensions to thesame elements on any votherlink. Consequently, when connecting the linksin link groups, it is only necessary to choose according to whether acenter, large side, .or 'small side link :is needed.

.Thus, laszbest shown ainl igs. 2.1 and J3, relatively n5 shorttrunnions 26 are formed integral with the trunnion lugs TL on eitherside thereof on the links 2-00 and 26F. In contrast, a single trunniononly is provided on the smaller side links 20H, and from the descriptionto follow it will be recognized that such single trunnions are locatedat the inside of the links EilH in relation to the belt to that mayinclude such links.

The trunnions 25 are located somewhat behind and below thework-supporting wings MW and are arranged to project normal to the pathof travel of the links, that is normal to the longitudinal axis of thelinks. As shown in Fig. 4, the length of each trunnion 2-6 is somewhatless than the corresponding lateral dimension of the associated wing itW so that the end of each trunnion falls short of the longitudinal edgeof such work supporting piece. Each trunnion 26 is provided with apassage 27, 5, for a purpose that will be described in detail below.However, it may be pointed out that like the body portion it, thetrunnion lug TLof each link is cast hollow as indicated at 29 and opensinto the hollow Till, Fig. 3, that is located between the top and bottomwalls'of the link. In this manner, light-weight character is imparted toeach link since the large opening 28 in effect extends to the rear wallof the trunnion lug TL as illustrated in in. It will also be noted thatthese passages 2i extend through the associated trunnion lug, theopeningsor passages 29 interiorly of the trunnion lugs representingenlargements of the passages 23.

The bearing lug EL at the other end of the link is formed with a bearinopening to that extends therethrough from one side to the other, andwith regard to the links 260 and 2535 this hearin opening lid is of alength such that two of the trunnions 26 may easily and loosely fitthereinto, one from either end of the bearing opening, with their endsfacing toward one another inside the bearing opening so as to preferablyhespacedslightly apart. In a similar manner, the inside diameter of thebearin opening :36 is such as to be at least greater than equal to theoutside diameter of the trunnions 26, and is preferably of :a diametersuch that the latter may be journaled relatively free and loos-e withinthe bearing opening 38. The length of the .bearingopenings 36 in thesmaller side links 26H, as shown in Fig. 1 is only about onehalf that ofthe bearing openin s in the larger links 26C and 23F, and thus it willbe seen that the trunnion (lugs and bearin lugs of the side links 20H,while otherwise similar to those of the larger linksas shown in Figs. 1and 2, are of a width just about one-half that of these larger links.5230 and EDF. i

The rear of each bearing opening Figs. 0 and 8, is open so as tocommunicate with the large central opening 28 that runs through thelink. Spaced apart upper and lower lips I? are formed at the rear of thebearing openings 30, to project toward ono another a sufficient extentto assure that'the trunnions it will remain seated in the bearingopenings 35 when inserted therein. These lips extend from one side ofthe bearin opening as to the other as illustrated in 5, the thickness ofthe top and bottom walls 25 and 23 being reduced so as to afford fiatfaces +9 at the rear of the lips H1 in contrast to the curved forwardfaces 58 thereof which are coin- ;cident with, and represent part of theperiphery of'the'be aring opening 39.

:The arrangement between the trunnion lugs IITL and the bearing lugs BLof the linksis such that a trunnion 26 of any one link may be fittedinto one side or the other of the bearing openin 30 of any other link ina free and loose manner. The trunnion 26 that is thus located within abearing opening 30, and held in place by the lips IT as shown in Fig. 3,will not occupy more than one-half the length of the bearing openingunless, of course, the bearing opening 30 happens to be that in a sidelink H. Consequently, it will be seen that when a pair of links as 200or 20C and 20F, are arranged in side-by-side relationship, therespective trunnions of these paired links which project inwardly towardone another may each be fitted into the opposite ends of the bearingopening of a third link 20C or 20F so that in effect a pyramided groupof three links is pivotally interconnected as can be appreciated fromFigs. 1 and 2. Thus, in Fig. 3 there are illustrated two of the links,3| and 32, of such a pyramided group of three links, the bearing openingtill-I in the one link 3| receiving one of the trunnions 26-2 thatprojects from the trunnion tug Til-2 of the second link 32, and in thismanner the links 3| and 32 are pivotally interconnected one with theother. Under such conditions, only one-half or less of the length of thebearing opening 3|i| in the link 3| will thus be occupied by a trunnion,leaving sufficient length for another trunnion to be extended into theremaining space of the bearing opening in the link 3| as will beappreciated from Fig. 7. Three such links that may be arranged in thismanner, with the facing or inwardly projecting trunnions of a pair oflinks journaled in the bearing openin 36 of a third link, areillustrated in the belt to of Fig. 2 as comprising a pair of sideabutting adjacent links 32 and 33 and a third link 3|. The facing wings2 IW of the pair 32-33 will abut along a line 35 with the space 35between the respective trunnion lugs of these two links 32 and 33 beinoccupied by the bearing lug 3|-BL of the third link 3|. Similarly, thebearing lugs 32-BL and 33-BL of the pair of links 32 and 33 will definea forward space 31 in which the trunnion lug of still a fourth link maybe located with its oppositely directed trunnions each located in therespective bearing openings of the links 32 and 33. Since, in thepresent instance, the spaces as 36 and 31 are each to be occupiedentirely by a bearing lug on the one hand and trunnion lug on the other,the wings 2|W are each of a width not less than half the width of thebody portions 2 1 of the links, or in other words not less than half thewidth of the work supportin surfaces EIT and the lugs BL and TLthemselves. i

This arrangement between links is repeated the length and width of thebelt All. At the sides of the belt, a link 20F will be substituted tococupy the position that would otherwise be occupied by one of thecenter or channel links 20C, and since it will be recognized that thecorresponding positions in the rows of links immedi ately in front andback of such a substituted link 20F would each be occupied by only halfa link 260, as can be appreciated from Fig. 2, the smaller side links29H are used to complete the length of these other two rows of links.

During assembly, at least two rows of links can be worked onsimultaneously, startin initially with one of the small side links 20H,fitting one of the trunnions 2'6 of the corresponding side link 20F inthe next row of links completely into the bearing opening 36 of theinitial side link, 29H, slipping the bearing lug BL of. a link 2|lC onto the other trunnion 26 of the link 20F so that the links 201-1 and 280are arranged sideby-side in one row, and then locating a fourth link 20Cin side-by-side relation to the link 20F in the other row and so on aswill be clear from Fig. 2.

As best illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3, it will be observed that when twoor more links are interconnected through their cooperating trunnions andbearings, the rear of each trunnion lug will project back under theleading end of the wings 2 IW, if the belt 49 be looked upon as adaptedto move from left to right in the drawings. Similarly, the bearing lugsproject forwardly under the trailing ends of these work-supportingmembers. The arrangement is preferably such that the ends of the worksupporting surfaces 2|E, Figs. 1 and 2, are about coincident with theends of the work supporting surfaces 2 IW, so that the top side of thebelt as so may be substantially continuous and uninterrupted for allpractical purposes. To the end that this be best effected and that therebe complete freedom of pivotal movement between the links, such leadingand trailing ends of the wings 2|W are each beveled inwardly anddownwardly as at M and I6 respectively, the bevel being generallycomplementary to the curvature of the respective lugs BL and TL tothereby freely accommodate the latter.

During the handling of the belt do, as for instance during the time thatit is being located on the sprockets 22, Fig. 13, it is necessary ofcourse that the links be held together, and in the present instance thisis made possible by using a connecting means in the form of a rod 44,Fig. 2, that will correspond in length to the width of the belt it.There will be one such rod for each row of links, and each rod as itwill be located in the aligned passages 27 that are formed to extendthrough the trunnicns 26 of aligned links. It can be observed from Fig.2 that the passages 27 and the bearing openings 3% in the side links2011 will normally be exposed to View at the sides of the belt incontrast to the larger side links 2F, and of course the center links20C. These exposed openings in the links 26H represent a means forsecuring the rods 44 in position. Thus, it will be noted that washers orretaining caps 45 and 46 are welded to the opposite ends of each of therods 44. The caps or washers 45 and 26 are of slightly different typesin that the caps 45 are each adapted for use with the end of a rod 44that corresponds to the interior of the trunnion lug TL of smaller sidelink 2Ql-I that is exposed or opened at the side of the belt as shown inFig. 2. On the other hand, the caps 26 are each adapted for use withthat end of a rod M which corresponds to the bearing lug BL at theforward or leading end of one of the smaller side links 20H. Asindicated in Fig. 2, it will be observed that when the trunnion 25 of alarge side link 20F is properly located in relation to the correspondingbearing lug BL of a smaller side link 20H, the end of this trunnionfalls somewhat short of extend- 'ing completely to the exposed or openend of the bearing opening. it will also he observed that the cap 46 isformed with an annular projection or extension d3 which is of a reduceddiameter to correspond to that of the trunnicns 26 so that the size ofthis reduced cap portion 48 is such as to fill the space between the endof the trunnioniifi and the bearing opening 3% at the leading end of thesmaller side link 29H. When the rod 44 is properly in place, theopposite ends thereof project slightly beyond the sides of the belt til,and the washers as 66 are simply slipped over the opposite projectingends of the rod 44 so as to overlappingly engage the outer sides of theparticular side link 28H and the side link 20F immediately infrontthereof. Under such conditions, the ends of the projections 58 arecontiguous the ends of those trunnions it that are located within thecorresponding bearing open" ings in the side links 2211 at the oppositesides of the belt.

In a similar manner, the washers .5 are adapted to be used with the endof a connecting rod Mi that corresponds to the trunnion lugs at thetrailing ends on another set of opposite side links Elli-I. Thus, itwill be seen that the washers 25 are formed with projections ll of areduced diameter, also corresponding to that of the trunnions 25, butare somewhat larger than the projections 133 so as to fit into theopenings 29, Fig. 12, that represent enlargements of the passages 2i inthe trunnion lugs TL of the links 29H. In this connection, it will berecognized that the length of the enlarged passage 29 interiorly of thetrunnion lug of a small link ZilH will be just about half that of thelinks 200 and 28F.

In Fig. 13 there is illustrated one form in which the belt soconstructed along the lines of the present invention may be used. Thebelt is arranged to afford an endless work supporting surface, and apair of sprockets 42 are afforded to drive the belt to in continuousruns as for instance from left to right and then back as viewed in Fig.13. In this connection, it is of importance to note that there will be aspace [5, Fig. 2, between the adjacent body portions 2d of adjacentlinks, this space being open at the bottom but bounded at the sides bythe body portions 23 of such adjacent links, at the top by the abuttingwork supporting surfaces MW of these adjacent links, and at the ends bythe lugs BL and TL of respective other links. Such spaces as it willoccur in regular pitches along a transverse row of links so that therewill be a plurality of spaced apart openings id in each row of links. Atthe same time, the arrangement of the links is such that the openings l5will alternate in adjacent transverse rows so that only the openings H5in every other row will be registered one with another in a longitudinalcolumn, that is, along the path of travel of the belt it. Consequently,as shown in Fig. 13, the teeth 43 of the sprockets 62 may be of aconfiguration to fit up into the spaces 25 to engage the rearward-mostextensions of the transversely aligned trunnion lugs TL in drivingrelation thereto, and to this end each tooth lt is formed with a cradleor pocket Q30 which is shaped to conform to the curvature of trunnionsTL. The supporting cradles 436 are raised above the periphery MP of thesprockets 42, and it follows that no part of the conveyor belt do willdirectly engage the solid surface 52]? of the sprockets. In this mannor,the belt all, while driven by the sprockets, is suspended so-to-speak bythe teeth 43, this feature assuring that the conveyor belt is evenlypulled across its width and that no crushing action takes place at thesprockets.

Since the openings i 5 in adjacent transverse rows of links arestaggered, the rows of teeth 43 will be staggered in a similar manner ina regular series about the periphery of the sprockets 62. In use, idlerrollers 4| may be afforded intermediate the sprockets 42 along the pathof travel of the belt 48.

It is of importance to point out that once the belt 40 is mounted foruse as on the sprockets t2, the connecting rods 4.4, being connectingmeans only, do no work, are subjected to no stress, and simply float orrest in the rod receiving passages 21.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the present invention ischaracterized by a worksupporting conveyor belt constructed fromarticulated metallic links in which the links provide their own pivotsas manifested by the absence of any separately formed pivot bar or pinused to interconnect the links in a pivotal manner. The belt is strongerthan any such belt heretofore used in the art, will not bind or look inuse, and is capable of an increased amount of flexibility to the extentthat by casting the trunnions of a somewhat smaller diameter than thebearing openings, the links are each adapted to absorb and compensateshocks and diiferential loading to the exclusion of adjacent links. Thatis to say, the links in the belt as G0 may be looked upon asindividually being in a floating condition thereby resulting in agreater utility for the belt from the standpoint of its work-supportingabilities.

Insofar as construction and arrangement of the links are concerned,various equivalents and modifications may be resorted to. For instance,the shape may be altered, and the side flanges 22 arranged to becontinuous or spaced apart further or omitted altogether.

I claim:

1. A conveyor belt of the type described comprising a plurality ofarticulated metallic links arranged in rows to be. connected in anendless series, the links each comprising a body portion having a worksupporting surface and a pair of lugs formed integral therewith, one ateither end thereof, so that said lugs project in opposite directionsalong the longitudinal axis of the link, each of said lugs being spacedinwardly of the sides of said supporting surface a distance to definehorizontally projecting wings located at the respective sides of thework supporting surface of each of the links and extending beyond thesides of said body, one of said lugs being provided at each of itsopposite sides with an integral trunnion projecting outwardly therefromand below said wings in a horizontal direction normal to the path oftravel of the belt a distance less than that of said wings, the other ofsaid lugs being formed with a bearing opening extendedhorizontally.therethrough that is of a length not less than equal to thecombined length of a pair of trunnions, said links being arranged inparallel rows with the wing at the one side of one link in registeredrelation with the wing at the other side of the next adjacent link andwith the lugs that contain bearing openings at the respective ends ofsuch adjacent links aligned. horizontally so that a space is affordedtherebetween, and a third link in the row of links next adjacent the rowcorresponding to said adjacent links being located such that the lugthereof which is provided with trunnions is located in said space withthe trunnions thereof extended in to the related bearing openings of thesaid adjacent links.

2. A link for a conveyor belt, adapted to be used in conjunction withother similar links to afford a pivotally linked supporting surface, comprising a body portion affording a fiat and horizontal work supportingsurface, said body portion having an integral lug projecting from either1 1 end thereof respectively at the front and back of the worksupporting surface, said lugs being equally spaced inwardly of therespective sides of said supporting surface to thereby define worksupporting wings on the link that are flush with said work supportingsurface, one of said lugs being formed with a relatively short trunnionV at either side thereof projecting outwardly therefrom the oppositeends thereof.

3. A link for a conveyor belt adapted to be used in conjunction withother similar links to afford a pivotally linked supporting surface,comprising a body portion having a fiat and horizontal work supportingsurface for supporting the work to be carried by the belt, a trunnionsupport formed integral with said body portion at one end thereof andhaving identical relatively short trunnions projecting outwardly fromthe opposite sides thereof, a bearing support at the other end of saidbody portion having a bearing opening extended therethrough, thediameter of said bearing opening being greater than equal to thediameter of said trunnions and of a length not less than equal to thecombined length of two of said trunnions, and flat horizontal worksupporting wings projecting laterally from opposite sides of said worksupporting surface in a co-planar relation therewith, said wingsprojecting laterally beyond said trunnion and bearing supports so thatthe trunnion and bearing supports of adjacent ones of the links in a roware spaced from each other.

4. A link for a conveyor belt adapted to be used in conjunction withother similar links to afford a pivotally linked supporting surface,comprising a body portion having a work supporting surface forsupporting the work to be carried by the belt, a trunnion support formedintegral with said body portion at one end thereof and having arelatively short trunnion projecting from a side'thereof, a bearingsupport formed integral with said body portion at the other end thereofand having a diameter and length at least greater than equal to thecorresponding dimensions of said trunnion whereby the trunnion of onesuch link may be journaled in the bearing opening of another such linkto afford a pivoted connection between the links, and work supportingwings projecting laterally from one side of said work supporting surfacein a coplanar relation therewith so as to project laterally beyond thetrunnion support and the bearing support.

5. A conveyor belt comprising a plurality of articulated metallic linksarranged and connected in a general side-by-side and end-to-endrelationship, the construction and arrangement of the links being suchthat each of said links has a body portion provided with a flat andhorizontal work supporting surface, a trunnion formed integral with saidbody portion at one end thereof so as to project from said worksupporting surface in a direction normal to the path of travel of thelink, and a bearing opening at the other end of the link in which thetrunnion of another such link is mounted whereby such two links arepivotally interconnected with the trunnion of one link pivotally mountedin the bearing opening of the other link, and the work supportingsurfaces of the two links being disposed in the same horizontal plane.

6. A link for a conveyor belt adapted to be used in conjunction withother similar links to afford a pivotally linked supporting surface,comprising a body portion having a fiat and horizontal work supportingsurface at the top thereof, a trunnion projecting from a point at oneend of said body portion below said work supporting surface in agenerally horizontal direction that is normal to the longitudinal axisof the link, a bearing opening formed in said body portion at the otherend thereof, said bearing opening having a diameter corresponding tothat of said trunnion whereby the trunnion of any such link may bepivotally mounted in the bearing opening of any other such link, a worksupporting wing projecting laterally from said work supporting surfacein a co-planar relation therewith so as to project laterally beyond theparts of said body portion having the trunnion and bearing openingrespectively, and a horizontal rod-receiving opening formed in saidtrunnion to permit a plurality of such links to be assembled inside-by-side relation on said rod with the side edges of opposite worksupporting wings engaging one another.

'7. A link for a conveyor belt comprising a body portion having arectangular shaped work supporting surface with a pair of laterallyextended and rectangular shaped work supporting wings formed integraltherewith intermediate the ends of said body portion so that the leadingand trailing ends of said wings are spaced from the corresponding endsof said body portion, a pair of identical trunnions formed integral withsaid body portion at one end thereof to the rear of and below said wingsso as to project horizontally from the sides of the link in a directionthat is normal to the longitudinal axis of the link, and a bearingopening extended through the other end of the link in parallel relationto said trunnions and located forwardly of and below said wings, saidbearing opening having a diameter at least greater than equal to thediameter of the trunnions and a length not less than equal to thecombined length of the trunnions whereby the trunnions of two such linkswhich project toward one another when such two links are arranged inside-by-side relation may be located in the bearing opening of a thirdlink, the combined width of said wings being about equal to the width ofsaid body portion whereby when two such links are arranged inside-by-side relation the opposite ends of the body portions thereofwill be spaced apart a distance corresponding substantially to the widthof the body portion of any one such link.

8. A link for a conveyor belt comprising a body portion having a worksupporting surface, a trunnion formed integral with said body portion soas to project normal to and below said work supporting surface at oneend of said body portion, a bearing opening formed in the other end ofsaid body portion to extend therethrough in parallel relation to saidtrunnion, and a rodreceiving passage formed to extend through saidtrunnion, the size relation between the trunnion and bearing openingsbeing such that the respective trunnions of a series of such links canbe interchangeably journaled in the respective bearing openings topivotally interconnect the links in selective groups with a rod insertedthrough the rod-receiving passages in the trunnions to hold such linksin a group.

9. Links for a conveyor belt of the type described, each of said linkscomprising a body portion having a work supporting surface, a trunnionformed integral with said body portion so as to project normal to andbelow said work supporting surface at one end of said body portion, abearing opening formed in the other end of said body portion to extendtherethrough in parallel relation to said trunnion, and a rod receivingpassage formed to extend through said trunnion, the size relationbetween the trunnion and bearing opening being such that the respectivetrunnions of a series of such links can be interchangeably journaled inthe respective bearing openings to pivotally interconnect the links inselective groups with a rod inserted. through the rod-receiving passagesin the trunnions to hold such links in a group.

10. A conveyor belt comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnectedand articulated metallic links, each of said links comprising a body portion having a work supporting surface, a trunnion formed integral withsaid body portion so as to project normal to and below said work supporting surface at one end of said body portion,

a bearing opening formed in the other end of i said body portion toextend therethrough in parallel relation to said trunnion, and arod-receiving passage formed to extend through said trunnion, the sizerelation between the trunnion and hearing opening being such that therespective trunnions of a series of such links can be interchangeablyjournaled in the respective bearing openings to pivotally interconnectthe links in selective groups with a rod inserted through therod-receiving passages in the trunnions to hold such links in a group.

11. A link for a conveyor belt adapted to be used in conjunction withother similar links to afford a pivotally linked supporting surface,comprising an elongated body portion having a flat and horizontalwork-supporting surface, a trunnion formed integral with said bodyportion so as to project normal to the longitudinal axis of saidwork-supporting surface in a horizontal direction from one end of saidbody portion, a bearing opening formed in the other end of said bodyportion in parallel relation to said trunnion, the size relation betweenthe trunnion and bearing opening being such that the respectivetrunnions of a series of such links can be interchangeably journaled inthe respective bearing openings to pivotally interconnect the links inselective groups, and work-supporting wings formed as lateral extensionsof said work supporting surface so as to be co-planar therewith, saidwings each being of such width that when the trunnion of one link ismounted in the bearing opening of another such link the wing of the saidone link overlaps that portion of the said other link in which thebearing opening thereof is formed.

12. A conveyor belt comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnectedand articulated metallic links, each of said links comprising anelongated body portion having a work-supporting surface, a trunnionformed integral with said body portion so as to project normal to saidwork-supporting surface from one end of said body portion, bearingopenings formed in the other end of said body portion in parallelrelation to said trunnion, the size relation between the trunnion andbearing opening being such that the respecive trunnions of a series ofsuch links can be interchangeably journaled in the respective bearingopenings to pivotally interconnect the links in selective groups, andintegral work-supporting wings projecting laterally from thework-supporting surfaces of the links beyond the lateral edges of thoseportions of the links in which the respective bearing openings areformed so that the wings of one such link in the conveyor belt overlieand lap that portion of another such link in which the bearing openingthereof is located.

13. A link adapted to be used in conjunction with other similar links toafford the work supporting means of a conveyor belt, said links having awork supporting surface with a trunnion at one end and a bearing openingat the other end of a s ze to receive said trunnion whereb: the trunnionof any one such link may be pivotally mounted in the bearing opening ofanother such link, and an integral work supporting wing projectinglaterally from said work supporting surface beyond the lateral edge ofthat portion of the link in which the bearing opening is formed topermit the wing of said one such link to overlie and lap that portion ofthe said other such link in which the bearing opening thereof is formed.

14. A link adapted to be used in conjunction with other similar links ina conveyor belt, comprising a body having a fiat work supporting surfacefor carrying the work to be transported by the belt, a trunnion formedintegral with the body at one end thereof, a bearing opening at theother end of the body arranged in parallel relation to said trunnionwhereby the trunnion of one such link may be journaled in the bearingopening of another such link, an integral work supporting wingprojecting laterally from said work supporting surface beyond thelateral edge of the portion of the link in which the bearing opening isformed to permit the work supporting wing of said one such link tooverlie and lap that portion of the said other such link having thebearing opening, and a rod-receiving passage formed to extend throughsaid trunnion to permit a series of such links to be arranged in a rowon the rod in said side-by-side relation.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,282,063 Froelich Oct. 22, 1918 1,831,639 Reece Nov. 10, 19312,252,460 Sinden Aug. 12, 1941

